It comes on the heels of a federal judge's ruling last week that invalidated Pennsylvania's law banning same-sex marriage. Dent references that ruling in his statement and also acknowledges that in 1996, as a Pennsylvania legislator, he voted for the law that the judge struck down.

"I did so at the time because I thought it was consistent with a strong majority of the constituents I represented," Dent says. "I voted in a similar manner at the federal level. Years have passed, and the American public's views on this issue have shifted. So have mine. Life is too short to have the force of government stand in the way of two adults whose pursuit of happiness includes marriage."

Dent says he came to this position in part through conversations with his family. He also stresses that the government must "be mindful of the balance between protecting religious liberty and the pursuit of marriage equality."

He says he would oppose compelling religious institutions to perform wedding ceremonies that conflict with their teachings.

"As a Republican, I value equality, personal freedom and a more limited role for government in our lives," the congressman says. "I believe this philosophy should apply to the issue of marriage as well."

Supporters of same-sex marriage were quick to embrace Dent's statement today. Freedom to Marry, an organization with a mission of ending discrimination of same-sex couples, congratulated Dent in a news release.

The Washington Post reports that Dent is only the sixth congressional Republican who has publicly backed marriage equality.